Voting is currently in progress for the National Assembly elections in Koshi Province, with early turnout showing steady participation from both provincial and local representatives.
Within the first two hours of polling, which commenced at 9:00 am at the Provincial Election Office, 50 members of the Provincial Assembly and 174 local level representatives had already cast their ballots.
While three seats were initially vacant in Koshi Province, Sunil Bahadur Thapa of the Nepali Congress has already been elected unopposed in the "Other" category. Consequently, voting is active for the remaining two seats: Dalit Cluster: and Women's Cluster. A head-to-head battle is taking between Somnath Portel (CPN-UML, representing the ruling alliance) and Khem Sundas (CPN). Likewise, Roshni Meche (CPN-UML, alliance candidate) faces a challenge
The electoral college for Koshi Province consists of 92 members (out of 93 total seats) in Provincial Assembly. Likewise, 269 chiefs and deputy chiefs out of 274 positions from local levels.
In terms of vote weightage, the Provincial Assembly accounts for 4,876 points, while the local level contributes 5,111, totaling a combined weightage of 9,987.
This election seeks to fill vacancies created by the expiring terms of Gopi Achhami (Maoist Center), and Devendra Dahal and Indu Gautam (CPN-UML).
Nationally, the terms of 19 National Assembly members are set to expire on March 4. Of these, one member will be appointed by the President. Following Sunil Bahadur Thapa’s unopposed victory in Koshi, elections are being held today for the remaining 17 seats across the country.
Polling which kicked off at 9 am will remain open at the two designated centers in Biratnagar until 3:00 pm today.
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